UK accounting firms to pour up to £100k into AI as profession redefines expertise
UK accounting firms are making major investments in artificial intelligence, with nearly half (48%) planning to spend between £50,000 and £100,000 on AI over the next 12 months, according to new research from Ravical.
The research, which polled 500 senior decision makers within UK accountancy firms employing at least 25 people, points to a turning point for the UK accountancy profession. Ravical is urging firms to take the lead in shaping how AI is used across professional services to ensure technology enhances, rather than dictates, the future of expertise.
Ravical’s Accounting in the Age of AI 2025 report highlights a profession in rapid transition. Its research found almost half (46%) of firms expect many of today’s core skills to become less relevant as AI automates routine knowledge work, while nearly a quarter (23%) predict a complete transformation of the accountant’s skillset in the years ahead.
At the same time, 83% of accountants say working effectively with AI tools is now more important than traditional technical expertise, signalling a seismic shift in how professional value is defined.
Despite this momentum, not every firm is moving at the same pace. Nearly all (96%) claim they feel prepared for this shift, yet one in five (21%) cite internal resistance to change as a major barrier to progress.
Commenting on the findings, Joris Van Der Gucht, co-founder and CEO of Ravical, said: “AI won’t wait, and neither can the profession. Accountants have a unique opportunity to set the tone for how trusted professionals work with AI, blending machine intelligence with human judgement – the firms that lead now will define what expertise and trust mean in the age of AI.”
Beyond efficiency, Ravical’s research suggests AI is already reshaping the role and value of accountants. Nearly three quarters (70%) of firms are exploring how to embed AI into their workflows, and two-thirds (68%) are investing in new tools to enhance productivity and client service.
This evolution is also being driven by changing client expectations. Nearly half (45%) of businesses now expect their advisors to provide support that goes beyond finance – including guidance on technology adoption, ESG initiatives, and wider business strategy. More than half (59%) of firms are already helping clients understand and safely use AI, reflecting how accountants are evolving from number-crunchers to trusted AI advisors.
Van Der Gucht added: “Technical knowledge will always matter, but in a world where AI can generate and verify information instantly, human expertise must move up the value chain. Firms that empower their teams to work with AI, not compete against it, will set the new standard for professional value.”
Ravical’s Accounting in the Age of AI 2025 report concludes that the next generation of accountants will be part technologist, part strategist, and fully human, combining the speed and precision of AI with the judgement and empathy that clients continue to rely on.